One Night I Caught a Few 100 Fireflies

One night I saw millions
of fireflies in the mountains of Virginia,
and I caught a few 100.

They were like a nightlight of nature
I put inside a smooth honey jar.

If I ate one my body would glow.
I would be my own flashlight.

Buzzing in the air, I caught them in my hands,
and then transported them into the jar.

I wanted to keep them to light my room,
but let them go—
they flew away.

River Atwood Tabor
Age 8